The Swell Mob

Proposal for an episodic TV/streamed serial

Genre: Supernatural Thriller, elements of Horror.

Story by: Henry Maynard, Based on a theatre show of the same name devised by Henry (Artistic Director of Flabbergast Theatre) in 2018 and performed in Edinburgh, London and Adelaide.

Script by: Henry Maynard, Jack Kelly

Setting: London Circa 1851 - Victorian, concept provides rationale for setting in other locales and periods

References: Peaky Blinders, Sherlock, Lost,

Concept/Lore

Balam (also Balaam, Balan) - Deamon of Averice, Idol Worship and immorality.

‘Was’ a great and powerful king of Hell who commanded over forty legions of demons. He gives perfect answers on things past, present, and to come, and can also make men invisible and witty. Balam is depicted as being three-headed. One head is the head of a bull, the second of a man, and the third of a ram. He has flaming eyes and the tail of a serpent. He carries a hawk on his fist and rides a strong bear.

After falling from favour and being eviscerated by an as yet undisclosed rival in the upper echelons of the Deamonic court a small sliver of his life force caught hold in Victorian London (perhaps due to some evil machinations… ritual? occult practice? murder most horrid? Jack The Ripper?

At first underpowered and struggling for survival (ala Sauron) Balaam discovers a way to regain some of their former power, by trading favour with the mortals they are able to begin harvesting lifeforce, Faustian pacts are created and advantages are given, talents that allow denizens of the mortal world to rise above their peers… but that come at a cost… a den of iniquity is created in the east end of London, and the Swell Mob come to be, a group of the lowliest forsaken children of the night in service to a lord of darkness.

At the end of a winding cobbled street an unassuming door is entry to ‘The Swell Mob’ at first it seems unremarkable, much like many of the other dens of iniquity that populate the east end. A small stage and upright piano with cabaret performances, singers, freakshow artistes, fakirs, strong men, a bar serving London porter, wine, gin and brandy, a Faro table for gambling, and nearby, a cashiers box exchanging cash for chips.

The bar has many doors leading off it that lead down and away, a labyrinth of subterranean rooms, accommodation, opium dens, prostitutes, bare knuckle fighting, bear bating etc…

Our Bar is run by Balaam, although this is a well kept secret amongst newcomers, he moves among us disguised, ever watchful and ensuring that his slaves do his bidding. Some of the characters that we encounter seem to be trusted with more freedom than others, most are trapped it seems with supernaturally extended lives in hock to the Faustian pact that they have signed, are we in purgatory? or Hell? the subterranean layers seem to speak of Dante’s inferno, the charmed currency that unwitting visitors are using seems to be connected and they leave visibly frailer and older… if they leave at all. Our regular characters are harvesting victims in an attempt to pay off the debt that they owe to Balaam however the astronomical interest they are charged means that they are always fighting a loosing battle

Ideas?

Story lines

The Gunslinger as antagonist

Are they dead? - death masks? discovery - trying to escape/get out - get answers - Intrigue

Margret’s story? - infanticide? guilt? baby farming

Each character has a backstory/history, why are they there? what do they want? do some enjoy it? is it preferable? to they have more power/safety here? are some truly evil/Damned? Gacy? Bundy? Dahmer?

Someone wins big on the Faro table thinks they will get out

romance between Issac & Dot - something to hope for

Veteran? looking for someone? family member? - remembers GS

Bare knuckle fighting, supernatural assistance?